| Duration: | 6 Day(s) - 5 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Nature Tours |
Route: Jungar Alatau, Almaty Region (Kazakhstan)
Season: Middle of May (approx. May 12–17)
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1: Almaty - Taldykorgan - Sarkand - Osinovy Cordon
Departure from Almaty at 07:00, arrival in Taldykorgan at 11:00 and a visit to the Local History Museum of the Almaty Region. Lunch and transfer to Sarkand. Arrival in Sarkand.
Sarkand was first mentioned in the articles of Shokan Valikhanov about the study of Semirechye. These references date back to 1857.
Initially, Sarkand was a village founded by Siberian Cossacks. The first permanent settlements appeared on the banks of the Sarkand River in 1858, when 22 families relocated from Kopal and Lepsinsk counties. In 1872, the first school was opened there.
In 1928, the Sarkand District was formed, comprising Cherkasy and Lepsinsk counties. Since 1964, Sarkand has been an urban-type settlement, and in 1968 it was granted city status. Today, it is a small but very picturesque town. The main activities of the locals are agriculture and the production of excellent wines. There is also a small brewery and a cheese production plant.
Transfer to the Osinovy cordon. Accommodation at the cordon and dinner.
Day 2: Osinovy Cordon
Breakfast. Then a walk to the genetic reserves in the Pikhtovoe and Soldatskoye gorges, which are natural habitats of wild Sievers apple tree plantations.
According to excavations, the Sievers apple tree existed as early as the middle of the Cretaceous period. The Biological Dictionary of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR dates the origin of the Sievers apple tree to approximately 165 million years ago. The Kazakhs who lived in the foothills cultivated not only cereals but also planted fruit trees selected from the best forms of the wild Kazakh apple tree.
In ancient times, the Great Silk Road passed through these places. From here, along with caravans, the apple tree began to spread both east and west. Johann Sievers, a botanist from St. Petersburg, was the first to pay attention to this apple tree and visited the Tarbagatai Mountains. In the Kazakh village of Urdzhar, he first described these apples in 1796.
Return to the cordon. Dinner and overnight at the cordon.
Day 3: Osinovy Cordon - Lepsinsk - Black River Cordon
Breakfast. Transfer to Lepsinsk (37 km) and visit a plant nursery where more than 18 tree species are cultivated. At the nursery, tourists will learn about the cultivation of Sievers apple trees, main planting practices, and the care of young plants.
According to archaeological findings, the Lepsinsk area was already inhabited in the 12th century. This is evidenced by the discovery of a burial stone—Bal-Bal—dating from the 10th–12th centuries. According to local accounts, there were three mounds in Lepsinsk with Turkic granite stone sculptures.
One lies on the steps of the village council, the second stands at a resident’s house, and the third, according to stories, is buried near the Amur spring. In 1390, during a campaign deep into Moghulistan, Amir Timur erected mounds on the Uyghur Pass near Lepsinsk to mark the boundaries of his empire. He also used a symbol of three rings on his personal belongings.
This symbol was discovered in 1994 at the foot of Kok-Tobe Mountain near Lepsinsk. The modern history of Lepsinsk began in 1822. The abolition of Khan’s power led to a petition by the Kazakh Usun clan to join Russia. Initial attempts failed, but in 1846, an agreement was signed to include the Semirechensk region into Russia, with Lepsinsk becoming an administrative centre.
Lunch and rest. Transfer to the Black River cordon and sightseeing in the genetic reserves. Dinner and rest. Overnight at the cordon.
Day 4: Black River Cordon
Breakfast. Walking tour and observation of local plants and wildlife. Dinner and overnight at the Black River cordon.
Day 5: Black River Cordon - Lepsinsk
Wake up, breakfast. Transfer to Lepsinsk village. Visit the local history museum, walk around the village, and interact with residents. Lunch: picnic in nature with views of Lepsinsk. Transfer to the guest house, dinner, and sauna. Overnight at the guest house.
Day 6: Lepsinsk - Sarkand - Taldykorgan - Almaty
Breakfast and departure for Almaty. Lunch on the way. Arrival in Almaty at approximately 20:00.
TOUR PRICE: On request
TOUR PRICE INCLUSIONS:
Transport services along the entire route
Accommodation in foresters’ cordons and guest houses
Meals as indicated in the program
Guide services
All environmental and entrance fees
Permit for entry into the border zone
TOUR PRICE EXCLUSIONS:
Meals not indicated in the program and/or not included in the tour price
Accommodation in Almaty, if required
Visa support and registration in Kazakhstan, if required
Personal expenses and other costs not indicated in the program
